Thread: Full Chisel vs Semi Chisel?

I actually enjoy sharpening chain. I stick with full chisel even in dirty conditions. I'll sharpen 3-4 chains per bar at home, take them to work, and swap em out as they dull if they look like they need more than a quick touch up, so very little time is wasted. Oftentimes I will do this even if they haven't gone completely dull if I happen to be on a break or lunch.

i just cut trees with axes and cross cut saws.



BECAUSE they don't go dull as fast. . .

Originally Posted by mdavlee

I do cut mostly clean wood that hasn't been skidded. I do cut some that has been skidded and I don't really notice square getting dull faster than round filed chains. They both seem to go atleast 2 tanks and some have went 6 before it was wood dull.

I agree. I've used both and the only difference I noticed is full chisel cuts faster. I will add that Stihl chain seems to hold an edge longer than any other brand of chain I've used.

Originally Posted by John Ellison

Yep, thats the only real answer. There are so many variables in wood, cutting methods, experience and just plain preferences that the best thing is to experiment with the different chains and see what works best for you.

Yup. It just takes a minute or two to change a chain.

Learning about chain has been my main focus recently, and this thread has been helpful. You notice all my saws are cheap homeowner saws, and It's become clear to me that as long as they are running properly then having the appropriate chain and keeping it sharp are the most important things I can do.

After reading this thread I looked carefully at the chain on my Poulan 2775. It's got a 20" bar with Oregon 33SL chain, which is full chisel. Now I know it's said that saw has no business with a 20" bar, but in fact it rarely bogs, it just cuts real slow. So I downloaded Oregon's sheet on that chain and sharpened the it as carefully as I could, paying attention to getting the points very clean. It really helped a lot, but it still seems slow and the saw does not sound or feel like it's working very hard. Kinda like me and the saw are bored and just standing there waiting for something to happen.

So I've decided to change to a different chain type and I'm trying to decide what to try.

Originally Posted by 056 kid

i just cut trees with axes and cross cut saws.



BECAUSE they don't go dull as fast. . .

That is next weekend.

Originally Posted by WoodHeatWarrior

Learning about chain has been my main focus recently, and this thread has been helpful. You notice all my saws are cheap homeowner saws, and It's become clear to me that as long as they are running properly then having the appropriate chain and keeping it sharp are the most important things I can do.

It sounds simplistic, but I think that you are right on. Having a properly sharpened chain, using whatever method that works for you, is the most fundamental thing in cutting efficiently.

We get all testosterone poisoned; focusing on more horsepower and longer bars on our Binford saws, but a lot of wood gets cut with Craftsman, and Poulan, and WildThing saws using sharp chain.

It reminds me of when I was learning about woodworking, and getting all caught up in bigger table saws and power tools, milling wood into submission, etc. After a while, you start to appreciate those comments your 8th grade shop teacher made about the importance of understanding the wood grain, and keeping your cutting tools sharp.

It's nice to own the nice tools, but it helps to keep those fundamentals in mind.

Philbert

Sounds like you'd benefit from a skip tooth chain. I've just purchased one for my 33" bar on my Husky 394 that simply doesn't pull as good as I believe it should with a regular chain. we'll see...